Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Lowepro Fastpack Camera Bag

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For those of you in need of a new gear bag (*raising my hand*), Lowepro has released a sweet new camera bag. The Fastpack line is a new series of backpacks specially designed for today’s on-the-go technology enthusiast. Whether the task is photographing family travels, or taking a day trip around town, or capturing that special event, the Fastpack backpacks’ triple compartment design provide a durable, lightweight and comfortable carrying solution that holds a digital SLR camera, extra lenses or flash units, a notebook computer, and contains generous storage for accessories and personal gear.

Outfitted for work, travel or play, the 180-degree access panel in the Fastpack makes loading and retrieving camera equipment quick and easy, while adjustable dividers enable its compartment to be fully customized to fit different combinations of gear. Fastpack 350 StuffedWith its security flap snapped closed over the camera compartment, Fastpack offers an additional layer of security for valuable photography equipment while maintaining fast access through the side entry compartment – even while the pack is being worn. The top compartment provides ample capacity and puts personal accessories at the photographer’s fingertips. Two of the Fastpack series’ four models, Fastpack 250 and 350, provide an additional compartment with side access to a notebook computer.

All models in the Fastpack line of backpacks feature outer accessory pockets which provide quick access to larger items, and a harness pocket perfect for an MP3 player or mobile phone. With the compatible pouches, Sliplock accessory loops add even more external storage capacity and the mesh side pocket holds a water bottle, car keys or other essentials. Each model is available in red, blue or black.

The compact Fastpack 100 (8.7 x 7.3 x 16.1″) lets you carry a DSLR with a zoom lens mounted, as well as an additional body or lens and a flash unit. Also, there’s room for an MP3 player and a few other miscellaneous items. This is the minimalist’s bag that will come in handy on those hikes and other outings where you’re not going just to shoot but still want to have your camera with you. Here’s the links to trusted retailers for the Fastpack 100 (in the $55-60 range): Amazon, B&H Photo & Adorama.

The Lowepro Fastpack 200 (12.4 x 8.1 x 18.1″), allows you to carry a DSLR with a zoom lens attached, in addition to a couple of extra lenses (or another body) and a flash. You also get more gadget space for an MP3 player, phone, keys, memory cards and more. Here’s the links to trusted retailers for the Fastpack 200 (in the $75 range): Amazon, B&H Photo & Adorama.

The Lowepro Fastpack 250 (12.4 x 8.1 x 18.1″) steps it up a notch and allows you to carry all the gear the 200 holds with some extra wiggle room. The big bonus for stepping up to the Fastpack 250 is the ability to carry up to a 15.4″ laptop (MacBook anyone?) with the same side loading access you get for your camera gear. Here’s the links to trusted retailers for the Fastpack 250 (in the $90 range): Amazon, B&H Photo & Adorama.

The Lowepro Fastpack 350 is made to carry a digital SLR camera, lenses, flash, accessories and a laptop computer with a screen up to 17″. With a side entry camera compartment, you get easy access to your camera, laptop and accessories. Here’s the links to trusted retailers for the Fastpack 350 (in the $115 range): Amazon, B&H Photo & Adorama.

[tags]lowepro, fastpack, camera bag, laptop, 100, 200, 250, 350, review, photos, availability, price[/tags]

 

Canon USA shipping EOS-1Ds Mark III to retailers this week

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Per Rob Galbraith:

Canon USA is shipping the EOS-1Ds Mark III in the U.S. starting this week. The first units of the 21.03 million image pixel digital SLR are expected to land on dealer loading docks in the next few days, says Chuck Westfall, Director of Media and Customer Relationship at Canon USA.

Watch Amazon’s listing for the availability. I’ll keep you posted.

[tags]canon, 1ds mark iii, availability, shipping[/tags]

Canon EOS-1D Mark III Firmware Update Version 1.1.3

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Canon has released a firmware update for the Canon EOS-1D Mark III. This firmware update (Version 1.1.3) incorporates the following improvements and fixes.

  1. Increases transmission speed when using high-speed SD cards.
  2. Fixes a phenomenon involving not being able to release the shutter.
  3. Improves AF tracking in specific conditions.
  4. Corrects errors in the Spanish and Korean menu screens.

The Version 1.1.3 firmware being released this time is for cameras with firmware up to Version 1.1.1. If the camera’s firmware is already Version 1.1.3, it is not necessary to update the firmware.

Version 1.1.3 is available for download now via the Canon Japan website.

[tags]canon, 1d, mark iii, firmware, update, af tracking, speed, sd, card, shutter release[/tags]

Canon EF 28-90mm f/4-5.6 III

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Canon has released a new iteration of the same old EF 28-90mm lens that’s been around forever. The Canon EF 28-90 f/4-5.6 III combines the same optical and electronics technology as the EF 28-90mm f/4-5.6 USM but is equipped with distance metering information. This feature provides compatibility with the E-TTL II flash system which takes the lens distance information into account during autoflash.  (*yawn*)  More info on Canon USA’s product page.

[tags]canon, 28-90mm, lens, eos[/tags]

Nikon D300 Now Shipping

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Nikon D300The Nikon D300 has begun shipping from Amazon and B&H Photo. Both Amazon and B&H are currently out of stock; however, there are still a few D300’s available through Amazon via third party sellers. No word yet on Adorama, but they were accepting pre-orders, so I imagine that they will be shipping out all their stock to those customers first. You can still get in line there though by pre-ordering and hope you get it before Christmas.

[tags]nikon, d300, availability, shipping[/tags]

Black Friday and Cyber Monday Camera Deals Rundown

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Missed the insane doorbusters this morning? Don’t wanna get out in the mess of traffic today?

Let’s take a look at some great deals on cameras, lenses and accessories that don’t require you to get out at 3AM and wait for a store to open so you can get one of handful of cameras in stock in those ridiculous black friday ads.

Amazon

One thing I noticed when looking through the ads in the paper yesterday is that Amazon’s ordinary sale prices are not that far off (in many cases lower) than the crazy sale prices of retail stores. Additionally, Amazon has a special Black Friday sale today too with some crazy deals. Visit the Black Friday Page at Amazon for more. The Camera & Photo Black Friday Page is here.

Some of the ordinary deals at Amazon that are extraordinary compared to retail stores sale prices are as follows:

Lenses are invariably priced lower than at Amazon than any retail store. Don’t buy a lens at a big box retailer like Best Buy or Circuit City. For example, the consumer grade Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 lens is $239 at Best Buy through November 24th; however, Amazon normally sells this lens for $149 and sells the USM (ultrasonic motor) version for $189.95, which is a better lens anyway. Additionally, you will find a number of deals through Amazon that are in combination with Canon’s Fall/Winter Rebate program – see all of the Canon gear on this page.

For Nikon lovers, big box retailers will often times add the Nikon AF-S 55-200mm lens in a package with a DSLR. Circuit City’s got the D40 in such a package for $649.99. While that’s not a bad deal, what you don’t know is that you could get the Nikon AF-S 55-200mm VR lens for $203.54 at Amazon, which is about what Circuit City prices the non-VR inferior lens. VR is important at those longer focal lengths in order to reduce blur that is induced by camera shake. So scrap the combo and get the D40 and VR lens for about $680 at Amazon $580 at Amazon with the new $100 OFF offer for certain cameras a lenses from Nikon (the D40 and this lens being one of them). If you think that’s too much, then go for the same combo that Circuit City is offering for 2 Days Only at Amazon for $559.85.

You can also get a free 2GB Kingston SD card with certain cameras (like the Canon A570IS that I’m getting my wife for Christmas) through Amazon until December 3.

Wal-Mart

Just came across a couple of killer deals at Wal-Mart. You can even order online and have it shipped to your local Wal-Mart for free. Check them out:

Pentax K110D DSLR (w/ 18-55mm kit lens) for $399.84 (yes, it’s cheaper than Amazon)

HP E337 Compact Digital Point & Shoot Camera for $59.84

More on Wal-Mart’s digital camera offerings here.

B&H Photo

I just read an email that B&H had sent me earlier. Check out B&H’s 2007 DSLR Holiday Roundup and Point & Shoot Camera Review.

Final Words

If you’re looking for further guidance, consider my earlier Holiday Shopping Guide for a number of recommendations.

Got some suggestions for other deals? Found an insane deal while you were out shopping today? Put it in the comments and I’ll keep updating this post over the weekend.

[tags]black friday, deals, sale, digital camera, lenses[/tags]

Pentax K20D and K200D Rumor Archives

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There are some rumors floating around the web (finally! – albeit in Chinese) that Pentax will announced the much sought after follow-up to the K10D at a press conference on January 24, 2008 – just in time for PMA.

The new camera is rumored to be called the Pentax K20D and will include the following features:

  • Pentax Proprietary 14MP CMOS Sensor
  • 14 bit RAW A/D Processor
  • 3″ Live View LCD
  • Improved In-Body Shake Reduction
  • Body Design Similar to K10D
  • Significant Custom Functions (including AF trimming/programming for different lenses)
  • PC Sync

The K100D is also scheduled for replacement by the new Pentax K200D, which is rumored to include the following features:

  • 10MP Sensor from Sony
  • PRIME 12-bit Image Processor
  • 3 FPS (10 Max RAW; Infinite JPEGs)
  • Larger LCD (3 inch?)
  • 11 AF Points

Rumors for now – time will tell. When there’s more, I’ll keep you posted. If you gotta sift through every whisper now, check out 1001 Noisy Cameras’ recent post. I’ve also updated the PMA Preview as promised.

UPDATES

1/21/08: Sample images from the Pentax K20D. (Read more)
Pentax K20D and K200D specs leaked? (Read more)

1/15/08: Rumored sample images from the beta version of a K20D.

1/9/07: Samsung GX-20 revealed and is likely the 14MP twin of the K20D. (Read more)

1/6/07: Press conference from Pentax on January 10 in Dubai. (Read more)

12/29/07: Purported photos of the Pentax K200D surface. (Read more)

[tags]pentax, k20d, k200d, rumor, release, announcement, pma[/tags]

Pentax K20D and K200D Reviews and Resources

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Pentax has announced the K20D and K200D, which are the successors the previous generation K10D and K100D, respectively. The K20D has 14.6 megapixels and the K200D gets 10.2 megapixels and they are priced at $1299 and$799, respectively.

K20D Reviews

Think Camera

All in all, the Pentax K20D is a decent camera with enough features to keep top-end enthusiasts, travel photographers and possibly even some pros happy. It’s not the 14.6megapixel sensor that makes this the camera what it is, that almost doesn’t matter – it’s the combination of intuitive layout, functions and relative ease of use.

Cnet

Pentax’s 14MP K20D is a great choice for a midlevel SLR and offers a lot of bang for the buck.

Camera Labs

It really does capture a great deal of detail and unlike Sony’s 14 Megapixel sensor and processing engine, this detail remains at higher sensitivities.

PhotographyBLOG

If you have a collection of Pentax lenses, you’ll love the new AF Adjustment custom function, which allows you to precisely calibrate each one to the K20D, and the Dust Alert feature shows you exactly where the dust is on the sensor. Studio photographers can now seriously consider the K20D because of the welcome addition of an X-sync socket, and the camera still offers dust and water-resistance and effective anti-shake and dust-removal systems.

Trusted Reviews

With the launch of the K20D Pentax is taking on the top players in the semi-pro DSLR market. It has a class-leading specification, with build quality, handling and performance to match, and has exactly the sort of features that will appeal to advanced amateurs and semi-professionals.

Dale Cotton

Steady, well-exposed landscapes at ISOs from 100 to 400 are stunning at 16″ x 24″ (A2) print sizes.

Neocamera

The bottom line is that the K20D has one of the most complete feature set of any DSLR. It brings some unique features and exposure modes into a very thoughtful and ergonomic design. Plus, since image quality and performance are great, there is no doubt the K20D is a worthy digital SLR.

Photo Review

Resolution remained high at all ISO settings up to (and including) ISO 1600 but declined sharply thereafter. . . .  Image noise became visible at ISO 1600 when shots were enlarged to 100% but was increasingly obvious as sensitivity was increased.

PopPhoto (full test)

Impressive specs? Yes, but the K20D produced impressive results in the Pop Photo Lab, especially in resolution and detail at most ISOs. At 2350 lines of resolution at ISO 100-400, the K20D delivers slightly higher resolution than the Nikon D300.

PopPhoto First Look

We’ve just begun our full lab test with an early production Pentax K20D and out initial findings show that the Pentax K20D is very class competitive (particularly at ISOs 100-1600) against other cameras in this category including the Canon EOS 40D, Sony Alpha 700, and the Nikon D300.

ePhotozine First Look

Some of the upgrades and additions are good and will be useful, but there are some that seem to be hardly worth the effort. Would it have been too difficult to fit a 3in screen? Then they could have given it a better pixel count than 230,000 keeping it in line with the newer DSLRs from other manufacturers.

DPReview Hands-On

Pentax has been kind enough to let us soend a little time with an early sample of its latest DLSR, the K20D. It’ll be familiar to anyone who’s held a K10D but has a number of added features to keep it competitive in its increasingly crowded market segment.

K20D Sample Images

Pre-Production Samples at PhotographyBLOG

Other K20D Resources

K20D Video Walkthrough

K200D Reviews

Imaging Resource

The Pentax K200D is a capable digital SLR, a very good choice for consumers who are starting to chafe against the limitations of a point-and-shoot digital camera and want to work with a more advanced camera.

Megapixel.net

With its agreeable mix of automatic and customizable features and its top-shelf image quality, the Pentax K200D is an excellent camera for DSLR newcomers and more sophisticated lensslingers who want robust performance in a compact interchangeable lens format.

Camera Labs

While there are a number of aspects to weigh-up, the choice between the K200D and rival DSLRs really boils down to how much you value build quality and Live View. If you want a tough, weatherproof DSLR at a low price, then buy the K200D. If however you’d prefer a smaller, lighter DSLR with Live View capabilities, then go for one of its rivals.

Photography Review

The Pentax K200D is a great digital SLR for beginner, amateur or casual photographers. It’s a very well built camera that reaches out to the beginner crowd. But there are also plenty of “pro” level features that a photographer can grow into.

PhotographyBLOG

Just like the Pentax K100D Super, the K200D ticks very nearly all of the boxes for those wanting an easy to use DSLR that delivers images you’ll want to keep straight out of the camera, and with the minimum of user input and effort to boot.

Cnet

Pentax’s K200D entry-level SLR gives a lot of bang for the buck and has better performance than last year’s model. Despite low noise and pleasingly detailed images, technically inaccurate colors keep it from capturing the gold medal for image quality.

Trusted Reviews

The handling of the K200D is very simple yet it maintains a reassuring, more professional build quality. Images are sure to please even the most critical photographer, with few serious problems bar slight underexposure on rare occaisions.

Photo Review

Pictures from the test camera had a superficial resemblance to our test shots from the K20D, particularly with respect to the extended dynamic range provided by both cameras. However, the K200D showed less inclination to bias exposures slightly in favour of recording highlight details and the yellow-brown cast we found in test shots taken with the K20D shots was much less evident.

Where to Buy

If you’re buying online, I recommend sticking with Amazon, B&H Photo or Adorama. These three vendors are reliable, trustworthy and generally have the best (legitimate) prices.

Pentax K20D Amazon

Pentax K200D Amazon

Press Release

PENTAX Announces K20D with 14.6 Megapixels, K200D with Advanced Technologies and Five Digital Lenses

GOLDEN, Colo. –(Business Wire)– Jan. 23, 2008 PENTAX Imaging Company announced today two new digital SLR camera models including the PENTAX K20D digital SLR camera with 14.6 megapixels and the PENTAX K200D digital SLR with 10.2 megapixels. Both cameras are equipped with advanced features including dust-proof and weather-resistant bodies, an improved PRIME image processor, and PENTAX developed Shake Reduction that works with any of the 24 million PENTAX lenses ever manufactured. [Read more…]

Canon BG-E2N Battery Grip Review

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The Canon BG-E2N is a battery grip for the Canon 40D. Both were announced simultaneously in August 2007. The BG-E2N replaces the older BG-E2 grip. As such, it will also work with the Canon 20D and 30D. Basically, the difference between the two is that the new model has better sealing for weather resistance.

There’s really nothing sexy about the features of battery grips like this one. You either like’em or you don’t. Personally, I like’em. I find that the ease of use of my camera is increased and it is simply more functional than without the grip. Obviously, there are times that arise when you may not want something this bulky attached. For those times, I simply remove the grip and go on with my shooting.

The BG-E2N mounts to the bottom of the camera, with the protruding adapter you see on the left in the picture above being inserted into the battery compartment of the camera. The door to the battery compartment actually removes to facilitate the use of the grip.

Once mounted, you get the ability to shoot with your camera vertically and your right hand set more naturally along the right side of the camera. This is thanks to the shutter release button on the grip (seen in the bottom left of the above image). The great thing about the shutter release is that it feels just like the shutter release on the camera, so it’s quite natural. Additionally, the grip has a main dial, AE lock/FE lock and AF point selection controls for easier vertical shooting, as well as a tripod mount thread on the bottom. The AF point selection comes in rather handy for me, as I almost always select a different AF point when I flip to vertical shooting. For me, it’s a must have.

Where to Buy

First off, consider going to your local camera store (and I don’t necessarily mean Wolf Camera at the mall). By going to your local camera store, you’re supporting your community and you just might build a lasting relationship with people you can rely on when you need some help or answers. If you’re buying online, I recommend sticking with Amazon, B&H Photo or Adorama. These three vendors are reliable, trustworthy and generally have the best (legitimate) prices. Additionally, purchasing your camera or accessories through these links helps support this site.

[tags]canon, bg-e2n, review, specs, 40d, 30d, 20d[/tags]